Space band



Jan. 31, 1928. 1,657,629 W. C. LOONEY SPACE BAND Filed March 8 1927 95 MH/ M ma Patented Jan. 31, 1928.

UNITED STATES WALTER C. LOONEY, OF DANVILLE, KENTUCKY.

SPAOE BAND.

Application filed March 8, 1927. Serial No. 173,776.

Mq invention relates to improvements in space bands or devices adapted to be placed between the words in linotype compositions.

My improved construction is especially adapted for use in connection with lines of matrices, each line carrying characters employed in casting. My spacing device may be employed and operated in a similar manner to the ordinary space bands used in the Mergenthaler and other types of line casting machines.

The operators of type setting machines have to hand space about every third or fourth line being set. This hand spacing is tedious and causes much loss of time in the operation of the machine.

My space band is automatic in operation, and is adapted to provide a space as thin as the regular news matter space band, when only a thin space is needed, and will also provide a much thicker space, when needed. My space hand is further so constructed that its adjustable parts will automatically return to the lowermost positions when or before these bands are being returned to the space band box. My space band is, therefore, automatic and will eliminate hand spacing.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a space band embodying my invention, a

Figure 2 is an elevation of the rear side thereof,

Figure 3 is an edge elevation of the space band,

Figure 4; is an elevation of the opposite edge, which is next to the mold, when the line is cast, 7 I

Figure 5 is an edge elevation of the device, showing the upper Wedge shaped spacin member elevated,

igure 6 is a similar View showing both the upper and lower Wedge shaped spacing members elevated,

Fi ure 7 is a transverse line $7 of Figure 1,

Figure 8 is a similar view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 1,

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the lower end of the wedge shaped space band member, showing the tongue or carriage secured thereto,

section taken on Figure 10 is a longitudinal section taken on lme 101O of Figure 1, and,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary side elevation ment of my inventiomthe numeral 5 d'esignates a relatively stationary wedge shaped space band member, constituting the body portion of the device. This space band member remains stationary in the line of matrices. The space band member 5 increases in thickness upwardly, as shown. Disposed upon one side of the space band member 5 and rigidly attached thereto is a guide tongue 6. This guide tongue projects laterally beyond: the space band member 5 and has its edges beveled or undercut, as indicated at 7. The tongue 6 projects a slight distance below the bottom end of the space band member 5, The space band member 5 has a portion of its material, at one longitudinal edge, cut away, alfording a shoulder 8.

The numeral 9 designates an intermediate Wedge shaped spacing member, increasing in thickness downwardly, and having its inclined face slidably engaging the inclined face of the space band member 5, the outer faces of these members remaining parallel. The spacing member 9 is provided with a longitudinal slot 10, having beveled side walls 11, and this slot receives the tongue 6, which is slidable therein, but can not move laterally out of the same. The slot 10 is continued at its lower end through a tongue 12, arranged upon one side of the spacing member 9, rigidly secured thereto, and projecting laterally therebeyond. This tongue has its longitudinal edges beveled or undercut, as shown at 13. The tongue 12 projects beyond the lower end of the spacing member 9, as shown. This spacing member near its lower end with a laterally projecting stop pin 14, adapted to engage the shoulder 8, thereby limiting the upward movement of the spacing member 9, with relation to the space band member 5 and retaining the parts permanently connected. At its lower end, and adjacent to the edge thereof which is next to the mold when the line is cast, the wedge shaped spacing member is'provided with a longitudinal rib 15, which follows the reversely inclined or beveled face 16, at

9 is provided the lower end of the spacing member 9. The upper end of the spacing member 9 is curved and blunt, and not sharp so that it will not catch on the matrices, when the slide is working.

The numeral 18 designates a lowerwedge shaped spacing member increasing in thicle ness downwardly and having its inclined face slidably engaging the inclined or beveled face 16 while its outer face remains parallel with the outer tare of the space band member 15. This lower spacing member 18 is provided vith a longitudinal groove 19, the side walls of which are inclined or undercut, and the tongue 12 slides within this groove, but can not be laterally displaced therein. The spacing member 18 is provided near one edge with an auxiliary longitudinal groove 20, for receiving the longitudinal rib 15, this rib and groove connection foaning a tight joint, located adjzu cent to that edge of the device which is nextto the molthwhen the line is cast, thereby preventing squirting of the molten metal. The lower wedge shaped spacing member 18 is provided in the groove 20 with a stop elen'ient 21 adapted to engage the lower end of the longitudinal rib 15 thereby limiting the upward movement of the spacing memher 18 with respect to the spacing member 9 and retaining the parts pern'ianently con nected. Particular attention is called to the fact that the spacing member 18 is tapered throughout substantially its entire length.

The spacing member 18 is provided in is side wall with a longitudinal opening 21 for receiving a trigger 22, pivoted to the spacing member at the lower end of the trigger as shown at 23. A spring 24: is provided, which serves to swing the upper end of the trigger laterally so that it enters the groove 19, in the path of travel. of the tongue 12, thus locking the member 18 against upward movement with relation to the member 9. One corner of the upper end of the trigger 22 is rounded, at 25, and this rounded edge is adapted to be engaged by the tongue 6. when the spacing member 9 approaches the uppermost position with respect to the space band member 5, and. since the tongue 6 is in a plane in advance of the bottom wall of the longitudinal groove 10, this tongue 6 will shift the trigger 22 let erally, whereby it will disengage the lower end of the tongue 12, and the member 18 will be free to move upwardly with respectto the member 9 so that both members may assume the raised position, indicated in Figure 6. The outward movement of the trigger 22, due to the action of the spring 2a, is limited by lugs 2t; adapted to engage within recesses 27.

The casting area of the device is indicated as between the lines (1,, a, Figure 5.

In operation, the wedge shaped space band mcmliier 5 is relatively stationary, and co-operates with the wedge shaped spacing member ll, whereby their outer faces are parallel, their I'Qt'lllCGll ends extending in opposite directions. lVhcn the dcsircdspacing tunctioi'i can be obtained by the adjustment ot the member 9 alone, the member 18 remains locked to the nicmljicr El, and moves upwardly with the member .l. ll hen a greater spacing function is required, the continued upward u'iovement of the member 9 will bring the tongue (i into engagement with the trigger 22, shilling this tr inwardly so that it will. disengage the i guc V2, and the n'icinl'ier 18 will now traveliuiiwardly with respect to the elevated .member 5), the two men'ibcrs assuming the position shown in li igure 6, whereby the ma mum spacing Function is obtainable. It thus seen that two wedge shaped spncii'ig uremhers are employed. the lower spacing meninor remaining locked to the upper spacing member until the upper spacing uieinber has been raised to or near its upper inaxiu'uun spacing position. The locking engagement l'lBiWttill the two sparing members then automatically broken and the lower spacing member ma then slide upwardly upon the intermediate spacing member.

The action of the type setting nuichine in returning the spacing bands to the space bio but causes my device to resume its 0 mil position with both spacing merobcrsiu the low .lllOSt position bei'osov it arl'lYGH at the box, but it tor any reason this action should not occur, by the t me the same reaches the space hand box it will talrc place, then the device drops into the "nler, as the operator composing the line, which makes it doubly sure of being in the proper adjustment by the time the device returns to the casting mechanism.

It is to be understood that the lt'orm of my invention, herewith shown and describech to be taken as a preferred ex ample ol the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arriuigenieut oi: parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claimzl. A space band comprising a wedge shaped relatively stationary space band member provided with a laterally projecting tongue extending below the bottom end of the space band member, a "wedge sliar wl lo n gitudi a all spacing member having a groove for the reception of the tongue and priivided at its lower end with a tongue through which the groove extends. the tongue carried by the. space band member being adapted to project laterally beyond the bottom wall of the groove in the tongue carried by the spacing member when said spactil) lll

ing member is moved upwardly to approach the end of its travel, a second wedge shaped spacing member having a longitudinal groove receiving the tongue carried by the first named spacing member, and a springpressed. trigger carried by the second named spacing member and adapted to project into the path of travel of the tongue carried by the first named spacing member for locking the second named spacing member against upward movement with relation to the first named spacing member, said trigger being adapted to be directly engaged by the tongue carried by the space band member and'to be shifted laterally thereof.

2. A space band comprising a Wedge shaped relatively stationary space band member provided with a laterally projecting tongue, a wedge shaped spacing member provided atits lower end with a laterally'projecting tongue and having a longitudinal groove extending through its tongue, the tongue carried by the space band member operating within the groove of the spacing member and adapted to assume a position at one side of and in contact with the tongue of said spacing member, a second wedge shaped spacing member having a longitudinal groove to receive the tongue of the first named spacing member, and a spring pressed trigger pivoted upon the second named spacing member and projecting laterally into the path of travel of the tongue of the first named spacing member and the tongue of the space band member, said trigger having an inclined part to be directly engaged by the tongue of the s Jace band member.

A space ban. comprising a wedge shaped relatively stationary space band member provided with a laterally projecting tongue, a wedge shaped spacing member provided near its lower end with a laterally projecting tongue and having a longitudinal groove extending through its tongue, the tongue carried by the space band member operating within said groove and adapted to assume a position at one side of the tongue of said spacing member, a second wed e shaped spacing member having a longitudinal groove to receive the tongue of the first named spacing member and having its upper end rounded and blunt, and a spring pressed trigger pivoted upon the second named spacing member and projecting laterally into the path of travel of the tongue of the first named spacing member and the tongue of the space band member, said trigger having an inclined part to be directly en aged by the tongue of the space band mem er.

4. A space band comprising a wedge shaped relatively stationary space band member provided with a laterally projecting tongue, a wedge shaped spacing member provided near its lower end with a laterally extending tongue and having a longitudinal groove extending through its tongue, a second wedge shaped spacing member having a longitudinal groove receiving the tongue of the first named spacing member, a pivoted trigger carried by the second named spacing member and adapted to directly engage the tongue of the first named spacing member and also adapted to be directly engaged by the tongue of said space band to be shifted laterally thereby, and means arranged adjacent to one longitudinal edge of the space band for effecting a tongue and groove joint between the first and second named spacing member.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WALTER C. LOONEY. 

